6 NFL Teams That Should Follow Bears by Trading 2027 1st-Round Picks at the 2026 Deadline

On Thursday, the Chicago Bears pulled off the first true blockbuster trade of the 2026 NFL season. While notable veterans Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner were dealt earlier in the week, Chicago's acquisition of star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons felt like the sort of move that could shift the Super Bowl race.

Simmons is a four-time Pro Bowler and an elite defender still in his prime. He'll have a dramatic impact on the Bears' defense, though landing him was pricey. Chicago surrendered first-round picks in 2027 and 2028, plus a 2027 fourth-rounder, for Simmons and a 2028 fifth-round pick.

It was a very aggressive move by the Bears, one that could open the floodgates for more blockbusters before the November 10 trade deadline.

"All hell is going to break loose over the next week and a half," one unnamed source told NFL insider Jordan Schultz . " Get your popcorn ready."

While not every franchise is poised to chase the Super Bowl this season, for a few select teams, following Chicago's lead and trading premium draft capital for immediate talent would make sense.

The Buffalo Bills sit at 5-1 and hold the top spot in Bleacher Report's latest power rankings . They already have the look and feel of a Super Bowl favorite, though that has a lot to do with the presence of quarterback Josh Allen.

Buffalo's 31st-ranked defense could use some help.

Specifically, the Bills could use a playmaking cornerback or safety who can generate turnovers. Buffalo has recorded just three interceptions on the season while ranking 26th in net yards per pass attempt allowed.

According to Sports Illustrated 's Albert Breer , the Bills "are looking for another piece or two on defense."

To be fair, there probably isn't an available defensive back who is worth a first-round pick and who would fit into Buffalo's cap constraints. However, that shouldn't stop GM Brandon Beane from taking a bold swing at a star on a rookie deal like Cooper DeJean or Quinyon Mitchell.

Defensive backs like Riq Woolen, Budda Baker, and Donte Jackson are more realistic targets for Buffalo, if Beane can generate the cap space.

Alternatively, the Bills could boost their pass defense by improving a pass rush that has logged just 11 sacks so far. Maxx Crosby would be an obvious target if Beane can juggle the salary cap, while edge-rushers like Khalil Mack, Will McDonald IV, Jermaine Johnson II, and Josh Sweat should also be on Buffalo's radar.

In years past, putting the Cincinnati Bengals in the conversation of deadline buyers would be laughable. However, the traditionally thrifty franchise appears to have turned over a new and aggressive leaf in 2026.

Cincinnati made the ambitious decision to trade the 10th overall pick for defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence in the spring.

The Bengals' new-look defense hasn't been dominant but ranks eighth in points allowed. Quarterback Joe Burrow is healthy, and Cincinnati is keeping pace in the talented AFC North at 4-2. With an open playoff window, it's time for the Bengals to stay aggressive and add that missing piece.

Cincinnati's only glaring need right now is at running back. While Chase Brown has been a very capable starter in the past, he's currently averaging just 3.5 yards per carry and hasn't logged a run longer than 13 yards. As a team, Cincinnati ranks 28th in yards per carry.

Jonathan Taylor looms as the most obvious trade target. However, the Bengals might also check in on New York Jets running back Breece Hall, given the recent production of backup Braelon Allen. Though he isn't currently healthy, Saquon Barkley might be an option if Cincinnati truly wants to be aggressive.

Tony Pollard is an impending 2027 free agent and another back who could potentially be had.

The last time the Bengals had an above-average defense and a fully healthy Burrow, they reached the AFC title game. However, they've never been able to pair those two assets with an elite rushing attack. Now is the time to make it happen.

Jacksonville Jaguars general manager James Gladstone is no stranger to making aggressive moves. He moved up for receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter in the 2025 draft, and he dealt starting corner Tyson Campbell for Greg Newsome II before last year's deadline.

It's time for Gladstone and the Jaguars to make another bold move. Jacksonville currently controls the AFC South at 4-2, and Liam Coen's squad is one of the better teams in the AFC. However, it may fall a bit short of being Super Bowl-caliber.

Jacksonville's biggest issue is that, even with Hunter starting to play well as a cornerback, the secondary has been a liability. The Jags rank 29th in net yards per pass attempt allowed and 30th in passing yards allowed. That could be a massive problem against quarterbacks like Allen, Burrow, and Patrick Mahomes in the playoffs.

DeJean and Mitchell would be bold targets for Jacksonville, but Gladstone should be taking big swings. He would have to clear cap space to do it, but Gladstone might also want to see if the rival Indianapolis Colts are willing to cut their losses with Sauce Gardner now that the franchise is in fire-sale mode.

One way or another, the Jags need to improve their cornerback group, and the bigger the talent, the better.

Jacksonville should also afford to improve a pass rush that has recorded just 10 sacks through six games. With Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen already on the roster, it might make the most sense to chase an interior rusher like Moro Ojomo or Zach Sieler.

Almost all of the pieces are in place for the Kansas City Chiefs to vault back into the Super Bowl.

Steve Spagnuolo's defense ranks second in points allowed. Patrick Mahomes is healthy, and Kenneth Walker III has given Andy Reid a top-tier ground game with which to work. The Chiefs were undefeated before last week's blowout loss against the Seattle Seahawks.

However, that loss revealed a truth about Kansas City's offense in 2026. When defenses can shut down Walker, Mahomes can struggle. This is because the Chiefs lack viable playmakers at wide receiver.

Yes, the absence of Rashee Rice (hamstring) played a role in Kansas City's disappointing Week 7 performance, but the Chiefs could use receiver help even with Rice in the lineup. Reportedly, they are looking for it.

According to Breer , the Chiefs are looking at wide receivers ahead of the deadline.

GM Brett Veach is extremely limited on cap space, so a receiver on a rookie deal like Brian Thomas Jr. would make the most sense for Kansas City. If he can do some shuffling, though, he should make a run at a veteran like Wilson, too. Ideally, Veach would find a long-term solution at receiver.

Josh Downs, Rashod Bateman, Marquise Brown, and Jauan Jennings are other receivers who should be on Kansas City's radar, though they wouldn't be worth anything close to a first-rounder.

The Minnesota Vikings are the league's last undefeated team, but they could use help to keep stacking wins and make a run at the Super Bowl.

Minnesota has a championship-caliber defense but has struggled with offensive efficiency and consistency. Underwhelming quarterback play—Kyler Murray holds a passer rating of just 85.8—has been the biggest issue. Of course, teams aren't exactly giving away starting-caliber quarterbacks in-season.

If general manager Nolan Teasley could pry Mac Jones away from the San Francisco 49ers, he'd have to consider it. However, San Francisco is unlikely to help a fellow NFC contender get better.

Assuming that coach Kevin O'Connell is happy with Murray's progress, boosting the ground game should be Minnesota's top priority. Aaron Jones has been dealing with an MCL sprain, and the Vikings rank just 22nd in yards per carry.

Taylor is an obvious candidate for Minnesota. He's a productive dual-threat who would help Murray in the passing game, and he has a home-run gear that Jones no longer possesses and Jordan Mason has never really had.

Taylor currently ranks seventh in the NFL with 765 scrimmage yards. He's tied for second with eight touchdowns. Barkley, Hall, and Pollard are other backs the Vikings could consider, though Taylor should remain priority No. 1.

The 49ers have already made one bold move by trading for Buckner. San Francisco got the talented defensive tackle for a fourth-round pick, and the move appeared to be GM John Lynch's answer to the Seahawks' acquisition of Nelson.

Lynch shouldn't make Buckner his final addition. The 6-1 49ers have a legitimate shot to get their first Lombardi Trophy under head coach Kyle Shanahan, but their window is closing. Players like Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, Trent Williams, and Mike Evans are great, but they're getting older.

The Seahawks, meanwhile, are the defending champ, and the Los Angeles Rams have a roster that, on paper, is as good as any in the league. If San Francisco wants to win the NFC West and go get that Super Bowl ring, it should continue being aggressive.

Really, there's little reason not to be. The 49ers have cap space to spare, which makes just about every potential trade target reasonably realistic.

Lynch should consider taking a big swing at a pass-rusher like Crosby to boost the pass rush. The defense will eventually have Nick Bosa back, but it has recorded just 15 sacks this season after recording just 20 all of last season. Edge-defenders like Mack and Sweat would make sense, too, if Lynch isn't willing to part with a first-round pick.

The 49ers could also use receiver help, given the injuries of Evans and Deebo Samuel—and given their age. A receiver like Wilson could be a great long-term addition in San Francisco.

*Cap information from Spotrac . Current draft order from Tankathon .